The Smallest !!!
 

Yes, I think I have the smallest.....Formula boat! I have a 1984 17' Formula (One). It is equipped with a 4.3L V6, which I am in progress of upgrading to a 5.7L (built already, Vortec Heads, roller cam, etc...). The boat hits 51 already on a good day with 1/2 tank of fuel and a tired V6. Hoping for high 60's with a built 5.7L. Anyway, nobody cares because I don't have at least twin 496's with Bravo XR's, but I am on the water, I am doing upgrades, and I have no idea where the folks with 3 502's get their money! Anyway, just wanted to say hello. It fits in the garage! Seeking 242 with twin 350's if you know one available. The cheaper, the better. Expired engines would be best. Nice board, friendly people. Let the insults begin...

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Welcome to the board lots of good info here what does it matter if your the smallest your still on the water.


mark

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Dude, I'd like to have one. I've got an 81 F20 Sc that's not very big. I've also had a 242 with twins, and I still miss that boat. A lot of fun without the headache and fuel bills of my bigger one. Easy to trailer and launch, but big enough to run in some decent seas.

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

I plan on getting another 242 with twins before I take that dirt nap. :D

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Welcome to the jungle. Lets see some pictures!!!! :drink:

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Thanks for the warm welcomes. Cuda, I tried to buy your Formula 242 when it was for sale. We spoke on the phone (I'm from MI) but I did not make it down to FL in time and it sold for a reasonable price. I always hear how you miss it, so it must have been a good ride. I bought my Formula for $1050 dollars. The engine and outdrive were in milk crates in the interior. The upper stern drive gears were stripped out from low fluid. New upper gears, bearings I did myself, bought used 4" manifolds, resealed a freeze plug that was push out, and it has run completely flawless for 4 years now, averaging 3 trips out per week all summer long every summer so far. I have under $1600 into it total. It owes me nothing. I hate to pull out a great running motor, but the 350 sounds completely awesome on the test stand. Thanks again. I'll have dumb questions, and appreciate the knowledge.

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Welcome to the Forum SmallPP,

Unfortunately, some people miss the whole point about being on the water. I know a guy who has missed the last two summers because he is waiting to buy the right bits for his boat before he uses it!

When i had a two year break from power boating i bought a 16 foot trailer sailor and learnt to sail. Mugs game but the point is being on the water brings a lot of pleasure whether your on a 40ft offshore rocket or a 10ft inflatable tender.

As you will see from this Forum, nearly all boats are a work in progress cos the reality is if you wait until you can afford the right boat, life will have passed you by.

Anyway you should find tons of useful information here as well as some great people.

How about some pics of your boat then?

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

I know some people that tease others about their boat size, but most of them are not welcome here. Good Luck with the upgrades. Alot of us don't have the know how that you apparently have.

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Hey SmallPP,
Even a second class ride beats a first class walk...don't knock it :D

And welcome on board :cool:

PS And I don't know where I got the money for my 540's :confused: :confused: (Neither does my wife , thank god) :D

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Do you mean chaos? :D

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Lol,

You got it in one Mat. :D

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

He's got a 16' fletcher with a 200 on until the phantom is finished. I'm the one most likely to miss the summer (You know, that 1 weekend in july when it's nice) cos of all the fkkn jobs I want to do on the boat, including the 'Outlaw' conversion. :D

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

What jobs have you got planned and in what order are you going to do them?

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Oh, I dunno, just seeing how it goes really.

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Working on pics.....

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Welcome on board. I bought my 242LS last spring, actually with advice for these guys. And it's for sale, but has a 454 rather than twins. Anyway these guys are alright, though there is one fellow here that doesn't like binimi tops. You don't have one of those do you? ;)

A 17' boat with a 5.7 sounds like lots of fun. High 60s in a 17' boat sounds a bit on the edge for me, seek calm water for the WOT run! :)
My last boat was a 18' Sea Ray with a 140hp 4 cylinder. I would hit 40mph and I thought I was really moving out. Before that I had a 15' Boston Whaler. Topped out at 35mph, hit a big wave at that speed and the boat would indeed fly!

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Well I finally paid into member ship and posted a pic. I truly appreciate all the wisdom here. Anyway, this picture was as received, purchased for $1050 with blown upper outdrive gears. I put in new gears, good used manifolds, and have been running it an average of 3 days per week for the last 4 years. Knocked the cheap swim platforms off and refinishing a teak one now. 4.3L V6 factory 4 barrel carb. Runs 51 trimmed up with 1/2 tank of fuel and 2 people with 23p prop. New white gauges and new seats. No insurance (no loan), fits in the garage, and just sips street pump fuel. Built a mild 350 (Vortec Heads, Crane marine cam, E-Brock RPM Air Gap, etc...) which will go in very soon just figuring out conversion couplers and such (switching from 2 piece oil seal to 1, so crank pattern changes). Anyway, let me know if the picture does not show up. Thanks again for the support. Keep the advice rollin in!

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Cool looking boat. Good luck with the engine swap.

Just be careful how much HP you put in it. I have an F206 LS with the 350 MAG/Alpha and it'll do just about 60 lightly loaded. I know a guy who also has an F206 but tossed in a 502 BBC with a Bravo. He claims it'll do over 75 but he can't find out how much more. It chine walks terribly. The one time I saw it run I though there was something seriously worng with it. Looked like it would roll just trying to go straight. Very scary. He did say that up to 70 it was stable enough but over that........ :eek:

Re: The Smallest !!!
 

Welcome SmallPP,
That ought to be one wild ride with a healthy 350 in it!! :D

Good luck with the swap. :cool: